With the decision to phase out single-teacher schools that functioned in remote forest settlements from this academic year onwards, the only tribal grama panchayat of Edamalakkudy in Idukki faces a crisis, with several parents restraining from sending their wards through the deep forests to reach the only lower primary school (LPS) at Societykudy, where the panchayat headquarters is located.
The grama panchayat was carved out exclusively for the Muthuvan community in 2010 and its camp office functions at Devikulam due to its remoteness and lack of communication networks in the 22 settlements spread over a wide area in the Munnar Forest Division. The closure of four single-teacher schools, or multi-grade learning centres (MGLCs), has a negative impact as there are only limited facilities at the LPS for the students to stay there.
